PALAZZO
Palazzo are very wide, loose trousers that widen evenly from the waist to the hem, creating a smooth, flowing silhouette resembling a long skirt. The name comes from the Italian palazzo — 'palace', hinting at the luxury and stateliness of the cut. These trousers usually have a high waist and floor length, so they visually lengthen the legs and lend grace to the gait. Palazzo gained popularity in the 1960s–70s and are forever tied to bohemian, resort and evening style. They are made of light, flowing fabrics (silk, viscose, chiffon) that emphasise movement. Palazzo work well with a fitted or tucked-in top. It is a silhouette of luxurious freedom, in which a wide, flowing cut combines comfort, elegance and dramatic fluidity, creating a striking, confident yet effortless look.
Compare “Palazzo” with another term
Meaning, origins and distinction — side by side.
Distinction
Both are wide women's trousers that mimic a skirt, but they differ in length and volume. Palazzo pants are long, flaring smoothly from the waist to the floor in one flowing sweep, elegant and dressy. Culottes are shorter, usually hitting mid-calf, with a crisper, more structured flare closer to a divided skirt. Palazzo pants are dramatic and elongate the figure, while culottes are more concise, graphic and everyday, pairing easily with flats or heels.
